The San Francisco 49ers kicked off their season with a win over their divisional rival Los Angeles Rams in Melbourne on Thursday, but it was veteran wideout Mike Evans who really stole the show. He immediately established himself as a primary target for Brock Purdy, blowing past expectations in their first game together. Evans hauled in six catches for 49 yards and a touchdown, a performance that shattered the idea he’d ease into a second option role at 33 years old. If that Evans and Purdy connection keeps clicking, he’s gonna be a fantasy monster this season.
The Tale of Two Veteran Receivers
While Evans was out there proving he’s still got plenty in the tank, another veteran receiver had a much rougher night. Davante Adams, also 33, struggled to shake off the notion that he’s declining. The Rams wide receiver managed just three receptions for a measly 26 yards. Look, it’s tough to judge an entire season’s outlook on one game, especially when the Rams’ offense was flailing as much as it was, but this isn’t exactly a good sign for Adams. He was already playing second fiddle to Puka Nacua last year, and it looks like his fantasy impact could be pretty minimal this year if this keeps up.
Elite Backfields Looking Rusty and Risky
Speaking of struggling, 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey had a surprisingly quiet night. He finished Thursday’s win with just 68 rushing yards, 20 receiving yards, and no touchdowns. What’s more, he only had 10 carries compared to Kaelon Black’s 14. McCaffrey apparently missed some time in training camp with what the team called “tightness,” and he definitely looked like he was shaking off some rust. While a slow Week 1 isn’t unheard of for CMC, that snap count split is definitely something to keep an eye on.
Across the field, the Rams have a “good problem” in their backfield that could be a huge headache for fantasy managers. Kyren Williams, who’s put up double-digit touchdowns in three straight seasons, split carries with Blake Corum. Williams had 41 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries, while Corum put up 54 yards on 10 carries. Williams did see more snaps in the first half, getting 19 to Corum’s seven, but the equal split later on, according to Sean McVay, means less wear and tear for the team but a potential stock drop for both backs individually. Williams might still be the best pick, but it’s not a clear path anymore.
Puka Nacua Needs His MVP Quarterback
Puka Nacua absolutely blew up last year, racking up 1,715 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns. But we gotta remember, that monster season came when Matthew Stafford was playing at an MVP level. It’s obvious: Nacua goes as Stafford goes. And on Thursday, Stafford was a long way from his 2025 MVP form, throwing for just 155 yards and an interception, completing 15 of 25 passes. That led to a relatively quiet night for Nacua, who had five receptions for 74 yards. These two can be one of the best duos in the league when they’re humming, but they need to get on the same page for Week 2, fast.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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